(Closed) Could we go with just the organ?

We are getting married June 16, 2012 in a mass. We had a lot of problems with our booking because our original church is under construction and we had to move to a different church. They gave us the “parishioner’s fee” after much back-and-forth. The fee includes an organist. It’s a small chapel with not a lot of room. And my budget was not expecting to have to pay for the Church (because my home church doesn’t require a fee), much less many extras for the ceremony. I allotted enough money to tip everyone and that’s all, so I’ve already had to cut into our budget to pay for the church. Would we be able to get by with just an organist and nothing else for music? I know this sounds ridiculous as I’m saying it, but, hey, maybe it’s not?

If the organist sings also, then you’ll probably be fine. But if they don’t sing, then you’ll probably have to find a singer. (and pay for.) Or else not do any songs that require singing? would be possible if your wedding is not a full mass.

This is a fun question. The church gave us a booklet that listed all of the costs associated with the ceremony music. When my mom and I went to the music meeting, I realized that I had read the booklet incorrectly. The organist (required) is $200. If I want a singer, the singer is another $200. (I thought the singer was included with the organist.) I could find my own singer, but it’s $50 for a rehearsal fee and they “don’t recommend it.” Luckily, we had talked to the priest about the ceremony earlier. We are not doing a full Mass. We can do a spoken responsorial psalm instead of having a singer. The only other “sung” part is the Alleluia, but if there are enough Catholics who regularly attend Mass, they will be able to figure it out once the organist starts playing.

Long story short, we are only having an organist. I think it’s possible to get by without a singer. If you have any hymns, just make sure at least a few people know the songs so they can “lead.”

We get assigned our “wedding coordinator” (which we paid for in the required fee) in January, so I’ll just load them with questions! But it’s good to know that, if done correctly, we have the option to just have the organist.

We get assigned our “wedding coordinator” (which we paid for in the required fee) in January, so I’ll just load them with questions! But it’s good to know that, if done correctly, we have the option to just have the organist.